New insight into the molecular diagnosis of male infertility

Background: Spermatogenesis is a complex process of proliferation and differentiation of male germ cells which regulated by many genes in transcription and post transcription level. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecule function as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. They play a key role in regulation of early and late spermatogenesis, and reproduction. In this study, we investigate the role of miRNAs in infertile males.Methods: The patients were assigned to five groups based on semen analysis (n=55), normozoospermic patients (N), moderate ligoasthenoteratozoospermic (MOAT), severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients (SOAT), obstructive azoospermia (OA) and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). The expression of miR-34c and target gene P53 (tumor suppressor) was investigated using quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and DNA fragmentation were measured. Network analysis was performed using Pathway Studio web tool (Elsevier). Databased of gene, protein, microRNA, and small molecule interaction of Pathway Studio were constructed using Medscan language programming to highlight the possible role of miR- 34c and P53 gene. The ethics committee approved this consent procedure (registered number 66000116 at ethic committee of TUMA).Result: The results revealed statistically significant increased expression of miR-34c in moderate oligoasthenoteratozoospermic, nonobstructive azoospermia and an increased expression of p53 in moderate oligoasthenoteratozoospermic, severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and nonobstructive azoospermia males. Also, the percentage of DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress was significantly higher in infertile groups (MOAT and SOAT)Conclusion: These findings provide a novel molecular mechanism of gen regulation during cell-cycle and apoptosis in sperm which give a new regulatory insight into the molecular diagnosis of male infertility.

کلیدواژه ها:

miRNAs ، Normozoospermic ، Oligoasthenoteratozoospermic ، Pathway Studio. ، Sperm